Ginobili left the 106-88 win late in the first half and didn’t play in the second half. He will not return to the team for 10-14 days, the Spurs guard confirmed on Twitter.

Manu Ginobili suffered a hamstring sprain in the San Antonio Spurs' Sunday game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. (AP Photo)

Teammate Stephen Jackson was relieved Ginobili's injury was only a strain but also expressed concern about the team's ability to move on without the veteran guard.

“It sucks,” Jackson said, “but it’s a part of the game. I’m glad it’s a strain and not a pull. He’ll be back a little quicker. But we have to step up. One person won’t be able to fill Manu’s shoes for what he does. Me, Gary (Neal), a couple other guys off the bench have to do it collectively.”

Though injuries are part of the game, they’re as much as an identity for Ginobli, nicknamed “El Contusión” by former teammate Brent Barry, the newspaper noted.

The strained hamstring is at least the fourth injury Ginobili has suffered this season. In addition to a sore foot in the preseason, he has missed three regular-season games with back spasms and a thigh bruise.

Ginobili had set up a second-quarter basket for Tim Duncan when he went down without any contact. He limped off the floor and didn’t return.